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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Shettima Urges Nigerian Pilgrims to Uphold National Values Abroad

From ThisDay · (17m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerian Muslim pilgrims to embody national values and act as positive ambassadors during the 2026 Hajj.
  • He flagged off the Hajj airlift in Abuja, emphasizing safety, coordination, and pilgrim welfare for the 50,000 participants.
  • Shettima highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring a dignified and hardship-free pilgrimage, viewing it as a covenant between the state and its citizens.

As Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima officially commenced the 2026 Hajj operations, he delivered a powerful charge to the 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims embarking on their spiritual journey. Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Shettima underscored the profound responsibility these individuals carry as ambassadors of Nigeria on the global stage. Their conduct, he stressed, must reflect the nation's core values – discipline, humility, patience, and integrity – thereby projecting a positive image of the country to the world.

You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity.

— Kashim ShettimaVice President Shettima's charge to the Muslim pilgrims, emphasizing their role as national representatives.

The Vice President articulated the government's renewed commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and welfare of every pilgrim. He described the Hajj exercise as a binding covenant, where the Nigerian state is obligated to uphold its duty of care, and in turn, pilgrims are expected to honor the nation's values. This emphasis on mutual responsibility highlights the significance of the pilgrimage not just as a personal act of worship, but as a collective representation of Nigeria's commitment to its citizens and its standing internationally.

Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback.

— Kashim ShettimaVice President Shettima outlining the government's commitment to pilgrim welfare during the Hajj.

This year's Hajj operations, marked by the airlift of approximately 500 pilgrims from Kogi State on the inaugural flight, are set to prioritize seamless coordination and pilgrim experience. Shettima’s directive to Hajj administrators, aviation operators, medical personnel, and security agencies leaves no room for negligence. The success of the operation, he stated, will be measured not merely by logistical efficiency but by the comfort and well-being of the pilgrims. This focus on the human element, ensuring a journey free from avoidable hardship and anxiety, reflects a governance philosophy centered on service and accountability, as championed by President Bola Tinubu.

We owe every Nigerian pilgrim dignity, safety, order, compassion, and honour. Each pilgrim travels under the banner of our country, and each institution involved carries a sacred trust.

— Kashim ShettimaVice President Shettima reinforcing the government's responsibility towards the pilgrims.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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